(1) YA As in his previous works of historical fiction, including The Watch That Ends the Night (rev. 9/11), Wolf here deploys a cast of characters (a few not human) to provide a fictionalized account of a major event from the past, grounded in thorough research. He describes his storytelling style as "narrative pointillism": "Each point has its own unique perspective. And only by stepping back to consider all the points together will the picture or story become complete." Six sections, each covering roughly a two-month span of time, faithfully track the ill-fated titular expedition from optimistic start to tragic end. Various participants relate events in (mostly) free verse; each bringing his or her (or its) own viewpoint to bear. These characters serve as guides, from eight-year-old Patty Breen with her child's-eye view, to George Donner's erudite and resourceful wife, to two converted Miwok vaqueros dispatched from Fort Sutter to assist the party--only to end up being killed and eaten. Ever-present Hunger, "The Narrator," appears throughout in prose sections to clarify plot points, offer philosophical reflections, and reframe characters' motivations. Careful attention to detail, skillful character development, and expert pacing prevent this ambitious undertaking from buckling under its vast scope. The forty pages of back matter are essential reading as well. Wolf documents his extensive research; among the appended material are profiles of selected characters, a section on "Native Americans and the Donner Party," a timeline, insight into what's real and what's not, and a lengthy recommended reading list. Two maps not seen.

Reviewer: Kitty Flynn | Horn Book Magazine Issue: November, 2020

(1) YA In this compelling verse novel, Brown imagines the Donner Party's harrowing survival tale as experienced by nineteen-year-old Mary Ann Graves, a real-life member of the expedition. Effectively varying meter, rhythm, and form, the poems offer a vivid and gritty portrait of life on the trail, and, for Mary Ann, a liberating sense of possibility. A nuanced and haunting portrayal of the indomitable human spirit.

Reviewer: Kitty Flynn | Horn Book Magazine Issue: November, 2016

(3) 4-6 Cause-and-Effect Disasters series. Five disastrous events in American history are explored from a cause-and-effect perspective. Each volume includes four succinct chapters, first establishing setting before relating the major events and their aftermath/results (e.g., the Chicago Fire and 1888 Blizzard precipitated future building codes and public warning systems). Numerous photographs/illustrations, diagrams, sidebars, and a clear appended flow chart round out the presentations. Reading list, websites. Bib., glos., ind. Review covers the following Cause-and-Effect Disasters titles: The Jamestown Colony Disaster, Death in the Donner Party, Hurricane Katrina and the Flooding of New Orleans, The Great Chicago Fire, and The Children's Blizzard of 1888.

Reviewer: Rita Soltan

(4) 4-6 Nathan Hale, Revolutionary War hero, continues to distract his executioners in this third volume. Author Hale (no relation) manages to balance the tragedy of the Donner Party's doomed journey with the graphic novel series' wacky humor--no small feat. Readers not put off by the small panel illustrations and tiny type (or the story's horrific nature) will appreciate this entertaining history lesson. Reading list.

Reviewer: Kitty Flynn

(3) YA Milestones in American History series. Short, clearly written chapters explore significant events in American history. The curricular-support titles are amply illustrated with black-and-white and color photographs and reproductions and supported with biographical sketches and excerpts from primary documents. There are five other spring 2009 books in this series. Reading list, timeline, websites. Bib., ind. Review covers these Milestones in American History titles: The Donner Party, The Oregon Trail, The Pony Express, The Prohibition Era, The Outbreak of Civil War, and The Emancipation Proclamation.

Reviewer: Cindy Lombardo

(3) 4-6 My Name Is America series. Douglas Allen Deeds is fifteen years old when he uses the inheritance he receives upon his father's death to join up with the ill-fated Donner party. His journal chronicles daily life on the trail, the party's relentless bad luck, and member's shortening tempers with brutal honesty and naiveté. A historical note, map of the route, and black-and-white photos are appended.

Reviewer: Jeannine M. Chapman

(2) YA Calabro makes extensive use of the diaries and letters of several of the travelers and focuses heavily on the viewpoint and experiences of Virginia Reed (nearly thirteen in the fateful spring of 1846) to personalize the remarkable tale of a trip gone tragically awry. The richly detailed and interesting account is illustrated with a liberal assortment of historical photographs. Bib., ind.

Reviewer: Margaret A. Bush | Horn Book Magazine Issue: May, 1999